Six female university students who have tragically lost their lives in the last 2 months
Ghana has witnessed a series of tragic incidents in the last two months, resulting in the deaths of six female university students.
These unfortunate situations, ranging from suspected murder cases, fatal road accidents, domestic fires and unexplained circumstances, have sparked broader conversations on the safety of students, campus security, among others.
GhanaWeb takes a closer look at these tragic losses, chronicling the number of female students who have passed away under distressing conditions in that period.
Joana Deladem Yabani
On February 27, 2025, the lifeless body of a fourth-year biological sciences student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, (KNUST), Joana Deladem Yabani, was discovered near the KNUST Disability and Rehabilitation Centre, at approximately 5:00 a.m.
In a statement released by the university management, the institution confirmed that upon receiving the distress report, KNUST Security Services swiftly transported the body to the University Health Services, where medical personnel confirmed her death.
“The University has officially informed her family, and we extend our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time,” a statement from KNUST read.
CCTV footage reportedly captured a man, believed to be the deceased student’s boyfriend, identified as Tuffour, strangling her to death following an altercation.
The suspect was arrested hours after the incident and was remanded into custody in connection with the tragic death.
She is set to be buried on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Akosua Owusuaa and Bertha Kookale Hammond
On March 9, 2025, two students of KNUST were reported dead in separate incidents.
The two students were Akosuah Owusuaa, a third-year forest resource technology student, and Bertha Kookale Hammond, a final-year English student.
While details of their deaths were limited, GhanaWeb sighted a statement from the Association of Students of English, KNUST, dated March 9, 2025, announcing the death of Bertha.
“It is with great sorrow that I write to you regarding the devastating loss of one of our very own, Bertha Kookale Hammond, a final-year student of English who has passed away, leaving behind a gaping void that cannot be filled. We extend our deepest condolences to Bertha’s family, her friends, and loved ones during this agonising moment. May we find comfort in the memories of her bright smile and sheer enthusiasm. As a department, we mourn the loss of a dedicated and talented student and will dearly miss her creativity and presence,” the statement said.
The association further entreated all members to wear black on Monday and Wednesday in mourning their colleague.
Akosuah Owusuaa was also reported to have fallen sick prior to her death on March 9, 2025.
Davida Asante Boateng and Lilian Akorli
Two old students from Achimota School were confirmed dead following a hit-and-run incident on the Achimota Highway on March 7, 2025.
The victims, Davida Asante Boateng and Lilian Akorli, were returning from the school’s annual bonfire night.
A statement released on March 8, 2025, by the Executive Board of the Old Achimotan Association 2024 (OAA 24), announced the passing of the two young women.
Reports indicated that the two had left the Achimota School campus to return to the University of Professional Studies Accra, (UPSA) when they were hit by a black Toyota Corolla while crossing the highway at around 11:30 pm.
The driver who hit them refused to stop, and passers-bys took them to the hospital, where Davida was confirmed dead on arrival, while Lilian passed away the following day.
Rose Asante
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, a domestic fire outbreak claimed the life of a first-year student at the Koforidua Technical University (KTU), known as Rose Asante.
According to reports, she sustained life-threatening injuries that led to her death.
